We're Here

This is our new townhouse in Ballard, WA. Looking straight on, our unit is on the right. We have use of the entire front deck since our neighbors to the left have the bay window. Isn't it cute? We really like it. It's in a great location - close to yarn shops, quilt shops, grocery stores, Trader Joe's, churches, our new veterinarian, and John's office. The neighborhood is quiet, too, which is surprising since we are two blocks from a very busy street. Looking south from our bedroom window this afternoon I was able to see downtown with Mt Rainier in the background. So cool. We have our morning walk figured out, taking us down to the ocean with an ever-changing view of the Olympic mountain range. Spring is on in full force, mixing with the smell of the ocean. It's just about perfect.

We decided when we got here to go out to eat once a week, mostly trying new places. Although, we had to start first with The Old Spaghetti Factory, of course, and then went back again this week. We tried a sushi place, which John said was ok but didn't really agree with me. (Sorry, people, just not going to be a fan of eating raw fish and seaweed. Ewwww...) My favorite dinner night out so far was La Carta de Oaxaca (southern Mexican) and then dessert at D'Ambrosio (gelato) just down the street. Both were so fantastic, I can still taste it.

I have found an LYS about 5 blocks away, which is crochet-friendly. Yay!, because that's a rarity. I do intend to take knitting classes this year to see if I can conquer that mystery. There is also an LQS a mile or so away. I found some wonderful German wool sock yarn that I am using now and also am in the middle of a baby quilt which is going to be super awesome. (Future post.)

The only thing lacking is our church. We are in the visiting mode, which is exhausting, but we have had some good suggestions and are hopeful that we will find a home and friends soon.

The dogs are having to get used to not barking at every living thing. We are being particular about that because there are 5 units in our building and the walls are thin.

Icky, however, is very happy that the crazy cat lady a few doors down also likes to feed the pigeons.

A Week of Goodbyes

This week is bitter-sweet for us. We are getting more excited to get on the road to Seattle and see our friends and family in between. But we have had and are going to have to say goodbye to friends here.

Two weekends ago was my last concert set with the COC. My soprano friends took me out after the Saturday concert to say goodbye.

This past Saturday, John's work friends threw us a going away party. We played "Guitar Hero" (which I realized I am too snobby (more like classically trained) to appreciate) and were surprised with gifts of wine, a gift certificate to a Sushi restaurant in Seattle, a bike rescue kit, and John's favorite game: Settlers of Catan.

Sunday our small group at church gave us a wonderful surprise brunch and gifts to help us on the road. It was really unexpected and so nice of them all. They are also going to help us load the truck on Saturday. We love being in a church that is so real, caring, and involved with each other. We will really miss that. We also met the Griswolds for lunch at Red Robin. Andrea has been such a great friend to me here. I will miss our monthly lunches and having someone close by that I can really talk to.

Tuesday I met my COC friend Debbie for lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. Yum! We had a really nice long lunch and dragged out the goodbyes. I will never forget the first time I met Debbie. It was my first concert at Blossom with the Chorus. She was about 8 months pregnant with Adam and as soon as the concert was over, she elbowed me and said "Get out of my way, I have to go to the bathroom!" It's funny now, but kinda wasn't then. John played his last raquetball game at Case. After, he brought his 2 friends home for burgers, dessert, and to play his Settlers game, which he of course won.

Wednesday we met a couple from our small group at The Melt for dinner. Joe & Patti treated us, although they had never been before. It was the only place we wanted to go for one last time, so we introduced them to it. I'm sure they will be back, since they loved it.

Saturday morning we will get our truck and various friends will be in and out to help us load it and help us clean out our fridge. We are making pizza, which is a great inducement by itself!

Then Sunday we hit the road. We will be stopping in Ann Arbor, MI and Coon Rapids, MN to see some of our friends. Then Billings and on to Seattle by April 1. We will have come full circle and finally be in the proper time-zone.

Packing Helper

We decided to stop with the renovations, as the work we have been doing is worth more than the house. So now it's on to packing. I had already packed up and sorted through a lot of things. The Salvation Army came last week to get most everything we need to get rid of. It's amazing how much junk one (or two) can collect in just 3 years. I'm trying to pace myself now so that we don't end up sitting for a week in boxes with nothing to eat off of and no clothes to wear, etc.

Icky likes to think he's helping by jumping into the next box I was about to use. At this rate, I'll never be finished!